Jane Emerick
Special to The Chief
Jocelyn Pettit is one 11-year-old who ain't fiddling around.
The young Squamish fiddle player has been playing since she was eight, and already is driving to Vancouver twice a week to play with the North Shore Celtic Ensemble.
This summer she will be travelling with the group to play in Scotland at the Aberdeen International Youth Festival.
Pettit first heard Canadian Natalie McMaster playing the fiddle at a folk festival in Salmon Arm and was bitten by the fiddlin' bug and since then hasn't looked back.
"It just sounded fun and I wanted to do it too," she said, adding, "I want to be a musician and travel all over the world."
Pettit said she is particularly interested in travelling to Ireland and Scotland because she has a fondness for the Celtic music that comes from the region. She is exciting for her plans this summer because she gets to "go on a plane" and "do different events." The North Shore Celtic Ensemble has been important as it allows Pettit to improve her skills while playing with people her age. Dad, Joel Pettit, said it is something she doesn't experience with other music circles.
"Jocelyn is usually the youngest one," he said. "But with her talent the age doesn't seem to matter."
Her passion and desire to become a professional musician also means the youngster has to practice playing in front of other people, something she doesn't seem to mind.
"I like it because people are enjoying my music," she said.
Pettit also participates in the Grass Roots jam sessions, which take place on the first Sunday of every month at the Brackendale Art Gallery.
"She is just amazing," said jam session organizer and founder, Carolyn Grass.
Joel regards the sessions at the BAG as important because they are fun and "provide another opportunity for her to regularly play in public."
Her mother, Fiew Pettit has played a large role in Pettit's development as a musician. Fiew, who plays the piano and violin, was Pettit's original teacher and along with Joel, who plays the bodhran (an Irish drum), and Leanne Lamour who plays the guitar, the four perform together as the Jocelyn Band.
To Joel the potential for his daughter's success is endless.
"I don't see any limits," he said. "The more she is challenged the more she thrives."
Grass is encouraging spectators and musicians alike to come to the jam sessions where Pettit and many others play. The next one takes place on Feb. 5 from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at the BAG.
